Feliz Navidad Y Ano Nuevo

FAMILIA!

     FELIZ NAVIDAD Y FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!! It was so amazing to talk to you last week. That is why I never wrote an e-mail. So, Christmas Eve we tried to go out an do some contacting for the 4 hours of proselyting that we had, but I found out that Hispanics celebrate Christmas on the 24th and it all went downhill from there. We decided to just go caroling to the less-actives. Much better use of our time. We ate dinner with the Beus's and then we went to a lady named Marisela's house to sing for her Nino Jesus. It was very different. They had a huge Nativity set up and while we sand they had this little Nino Jesus that they put in a little white cloth and rocked him back and forth. Then, before we left, we had to kiss him on the head before they placed him in the nativity. It was something different than usual, but I will never forget it. The spirit was so strong!

     Chirstmas was amazing! Hna Gigger and I managed to actually wait until Christmas to open all of our packages. Our apartment was a mess! I would like to thank everyone for the insane amount of candy you sent! I think I am set for the rest of my mission :) Really though, I felt so blessed. A mission is a hard place to be during the holidays, but you all made it very special. We went to the Lesley's for breakfast...and so did hallf of the neighborhood. It was a blast! Then, the moment I'd been waiting for! SKYPE! I love technology. God bless America :) We stayed at Sister Lesley's until 5 and then we got cleaned up and went to President Martinez's house for dinner. It was a very special experience. We sand songs, ate dinner, and read the Bible about the birth of Jesus Christ. It was something I will never forget.

     Last night we just hung out as a zone. President didn't want us out with all of the party people so we had our own party. I annihilated Elder Sierra in Foosball (his pride is still just a little hurt). I only mention this because he'd been going on all day about his skills and then he was telling everyone to "bring it on." Pride cometh before the fall :) We watched 17 Miracles after that I, of course, bawled like a baby. A mission really makes you emotional! I did NOT stay up until 12. Sleep is way too precious here! I can't believe it's 2014!

     We've added a couple of new people to teach in the last couple of weeks. However, no one really wants us to come over during the holidays so the work has been really slow. I'm excited for everything to be over so we can get back to work. Carlos went out of town, but he gets back tomorrow. Jose is back from San Francisco and we had an appointment with him, but he wasn't there. I was super bummed! Everyone else has pretty much just left for the holidays. I went tracting for the first time in 5 months last week. It was actually nice to get out of the car!

     Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that we got in an accident. My second day driving, Hna Gigger and I got rear-ended. The car is totalled. We are fine. Aside from some sore necks and backs for a couple of days there was really no damage to us. The Lord truly is watching out for His missionaries! :)

     Good things are happening in the branch. We have been meeting with ward leaders more frequently to help us get things going in terms of member work here. I am really excited because we need all of the help that we can get.

     Well, I love you all SO SO SO SO much! You are all in my prayers every night. The church is true and the book is blue! MWAH! Until next week!

Love, Hermana Freestone